To provide an ALA organizational home for members interested in facilitating public forums, fostering civic engagement, and framing issues for deliberation in their communities. To provide a mechanism for sharing experiences in convening and/or moderating forums. To provide a base for conference programming, formal contacts, e-lists, etc. To encourage participation in deliberative forum training efforts and local partnerships to help communities understand issues of concern and solve problems together.

To provide a mechanism for sharing experiences with promoting, developing and sustaining commons. To provide a base for conference programming, formal contacts, e-lists, etc. To encourage participation in efforts and partnerships to help promote, build and sustain information commons. This group includes librarians from all types of libraries who are eager to learn about and share their experiences with developing and preserving commonly shared resources, as well as understanding and promoting the concept of the commons.

New Member Initiative Groups can organize with 100 signatures, 3 designated organizers, and a statement of purpose presented to COO, the Committee On Organizations. Contact John Chrastka, jchrastka@ala.org, or Mary Ghikas, mghikas@ala.org, for more information.